The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the spread of infections with a new type coronavirus to be a pandemic. A characteristic of this crisis is that the threat of infectious diseases, which has existed since ancient times, has been amplified by globalization to embroil the whole world, causing repercussions on an unprecedented level.
Looking back on history, there were phenomena that can be considered as globalization lying behind the outbreak of major epidemics in the past.
For instance, the plague that is said to have claimed one-third of the population of Europe in the 14th century was triggered by the East-West trade that thrived under the rule of the Mongol Empire.
Smallpox was brought from Europe to the Americas during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries, a factor that contributed greatly to the fall of the Inca Empire.
The Spanish flu, which took a toll of tens of millions of human lives about 100 years ago, spread to various countries via soldiers during World War I, the first global war.
Will the latest virus also cause serious damage? Or will it die down, causing damage only equal to that of seasonal influenza? Much remains unknown. But there is one thing that differs from the cases of widespread infectious diseases in the past: The globalization that has accelerated in the 21st century has amplified the problem.
With the rapid increase in the movement of people across international borders, the speed at which the infections have spread around the world has become faster. This time, it took only two to three months for it to cover the globe.
As the world community is linked together, with mutual dependence among countries deepened, the repercussions on the global economy have become greater than ever.
It is symbolic that the spread of infections originated in China, a country that has been sending its people and goods abroad in an effort to increase its global influence.
Each and every country is pressed to steer a difficult course. How can they cope with two challenges in a compatible way? Preventing the infections from spreading further so as to protect people's lives, while at the same time maintaining economic activities that support people's daily life.
Democracy will also be tested. Any measures to fight infectious diseases will sometimes ask people exercise patience and endure inconvenience. Will our liberal and open society be able to weather this crisis, without resorting to the heavy-handed methods and information control that China engages in?
The battle between humanity and epidemics is an endless struggle. No matter how greatly medical science advances, or sanitary conditions improve, the threat will not disappear. Unknown pathogens are sure to arise in the future, too.
On the other hand, the major trend of our times, globalization, will not come to an end even from now on.
Infectious diseases will continue to present ordeals for present-day civilization, in ways both old and new. The latest crisis that has shaken the global community will be the first, full-fledged battle between human beings and infectious diseases in the 21st century.
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